Dead Inside at the Padel Court

The zombie apocalypse had started, but apparently nobody had told the country club crowd. My dad's new girlfriend had insisted I come to this stupid padel tournament, and I was currently surviving on three hours of sleep and existential dread. I felt like a literal zombie, dragging myself across the court while everyone else acted like this was the most important social event of the season.

"Honey, fix your hat," Chloe whispered, adjusting her designer sunglasses like she was judging my entire existence. I tugged my beat-up black beanie lower, even though it was eighty-five degrees. It was my armor against the performative perfection of this world.

The game started. I'd never played padel in my life—I usually spent my weekends gaming or doom-scrolling through memes about how much homework would kill me. But somehow, my zombie-like reflexes kicked in. I hit the ball back. And back again.

"Whoa, you're actually good," said this girl named Sam from the opposing team. She had cool dyed hair and looked like she'd rather be literally anywhere else. A kindred spirit.

"I'm running on pure caffeine and spite," I muttered back, hitting a shot that made everyone go quiet.

Between sets, I found myself at the water station, chugging a bottle like I'd been lost in the desert. Sam joined me. "So, you're Chloe's stepdaughter-to-be?"

"Unfortunately. She's trying to make me into a mini-her. Hence the country club initiation."

Sam laughed. "Dude, I feel you. My dad's going through his midlife crisis, signed me up for this without asking. He thinks it'll 'build character' or whatever."

We stood there, two zombies in a world of perfectly polished people, bonding over mutual parental situations. My hat fell off, exposing my messy hair, and I didn't even care.

"Wanna skip the next match?" Sam asked. "There's a frozen yogurt place down the street."

I looked back at Chloe, who was deep in conversation about her upcoming Botox appointments. Then I looked at Sam, who was already walking toward the exit, gesturing for me to follow.

The zombie apocalypse had indeed started, and I'd just found my fellow survivor. I grabbed my hat and followed.